UCLA players upset with timing of Neuheisel firing

Following UCLA's devastating loss to USC, Coach Rick Neuheisel gave his players Sunday off so they could get their minds in a better place before preparing for Friday's Pac-12 title game.

“I thought it was a good call by Coach Neuheisel,” quarterback Kevin Prince said.

The players felt a bit different about Athletic Director Dan Guerrero's decision to fire Neuheisel just four days before they face Oregon.

“I feel like they could have waited,” junior defensive end Datone Jones said. “I feel like it's a distraction to our team. It's another distraction we have. I was hurt. That's my head coach. He recruited me out of high school. We formed bonds together. To see him go down is crazy. But we can't do anything about it.”

Freshman receiver Devin Lucien said: “I didn't think they would do it like this. I really didn't expect them to do it the Monday before the Pac-12 Championship. I don't get why they did it. It was very awkward today. I really feel bad for Coach Neuheisel and his family. It just sucks. It's a horrible situation.”

After delivering the news to Neuheisel on Monday morning, Guerrero held a meeting with the players in the afternoon. Only about 30-40 players attended because of class conflicts, leaving many of them to find out through family, friends, social media or news reports.

“It's definitely untimely, being so close to Friday,” junior tight end Joseph Fauria said. “Having love and respect for the head coach on and off the field, it's upsetting. The way I found out wasn't the best way either. A lot of mixed emotions.

“I look up to the man. He's very strong, very positive all the time. It's hard to see him go through this. I have nothing but love for him.”

It wasn't lost on the players that the university, by saying Neuheisel will only coach Friday despite a Rose Bowl bid on the line, seems to have little faith in UCLA upsetting 30-point favorite Oregon.

“They wouldn't be the only people that don't believe in us,” Fauria said. “From the very beginning we've told each other, it's only us on the field playing for each other. Not a lot of people believed in us from the very beginning and it only got worse throughout the season. There were highs and lows but at the same time there wasn't always 100 percent support.

“If that's the case with the administration not believing in us, it's nothing new to us.”

While some players expected a coaching change after rampant speculation all season, others were surprised given the Bruins just won the South bid and concluded the best regular season of Neuheisel's four-year tenure.

“If we would have beaten USC, we would be having a totally different talk today,” Prince said. “I was surprised. I was disappointed. I didn't want to see him go, especially working with him day in and day out and seeing how much he loves it here and how much effort he gives.

“It's not fair. Unfortunately it comes down to wins and losses and we didn't get enough.”

The Bruins didn't have much time to recover from the news as they practiced Monday evening, their first of three workouts before they fly to Eugene on Thursday. The players said having Neuheisel and his “relentlessly positive” attitude is just what they need to collect themselves amid all the distractions and emotions and prepare for their toughest game of the season.

“Practice went smooth today,” freshman safety Tevin McDonald said. “It helps that Coach has a great attitude. He's the most positive man I know. You could really see he wants the best for us. With what happened, for him to be ready to ride with us says a lot about the kind of person he is.

“It's a sad day for UCLA football. But we have to play the cards we've been dealt, keep our chin up and move forward.”

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